Scots lottery winners help cerebal palsy girl walk

Skye Swinton's operation was funded by the Weirs. Picture: SWNS

ANGUS HOWARTH

A YOUNG cerebral palsy sufferer has taken her first steps – thanks to the generosity of Scottish lotto winners Chris and Colin Weir.

The couple dipped into their £161 million EuroMillions jackpot to pay for Skye Swinton to have revolutionary spinal surgery.

The four-year-old underwent the complex operation and took her first steps without the aid of walking sticks on Christmas Day. Parents Ruth and John, from Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, said it was the most special gift they could have wished for.

Ruth, 39, said: “Seeing her walking with a smile on her face is the most amazing Christmas present to us. Her progress since the operation has been amazing.”

Skye was born 13 weeks premature weighing just 1lb 15oz and suffers from spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, which has largely confined her to a wheelchair.

Mrs Swinton wrote to the Weirs, from Largs, North Ayrshire, and was stunned to receive a phone call informing her the pair – who became Britain’s biggest single jackpot winners in July 2011 – would help pay for an operation.

A spokeswoman for the Weirs said they are “pleased” the operation was a success.